Computer games are now a major cultural-and economic-force, and despite being the object of years of academic study, this is the first book to interrogate the varied philosophical issues thrown up by the phenomenon, including the moral evaluation of game play.

Preface: Sageng, Fossheim, Larsen.- 1. General Introduction: Sageng, Fossheim, Larsen.- Part I: PLAYERS AND PLAY.- 2.Introduction to Part I: Tarjei Mandt Larsen.- 3. Enter the Avatar: Rune Klevjer.- 4. Computer Games and Emotions: Petri Lankoski.- 5. Untangling Gameplay An account of experience, Activity and Materiality within computer game play: Olli Tapio Leino.- 6.Erasing the magic circle: Gordon Calleja.- Part II: PLAYERS AND ETHICS.- 7. Introduction to Part II: Hallvard Fossheim.- 8. Digital Games as Ethical Technologies: Miguel Sicart.- 9. Virtual Rape, Real Dignity: E.H. Spence.- 10. Ethics and Practice in Virtual Worlds: Ren Reynolds.- 11. The Ethics of Computer Games: a Character Approach: Adam Briggle.- Part III: GAMES AND GAMEWORLDS.- 12. Introduction to part III- 13. Videogames and fictionalism: Grant Tavinor.- 14. Fiction and fictional worlds in videogames: Aaron Meskin and Jon Robson.- 15. In-game action: John Richard Sageng.- 16. Reality, pretence and the ludic parenthesis: Olav Asheim.- 17. Are computer games real?: Patrick Coppock.

 Computer games have become a major cultural and economic force, and the last decade has seen the emergence of extensive academic study of such games. Up until now there has been little attention from philosophy to investigate the philosophical problems that arise from the phenomenon of computer games. This book fill this lacuna by bringing philosophers and media researchers together in discussions of the basic concepts needed to understand computer games. The essays address central issues such as the reality status of the game environment, gameplay, and the moral evaluation of player or avatar actions. The anthology is required reading for anyone with an academic or professional interest in computer games, and will also be valuable to any reader curious about the philosophical issues that are raised by modern-day digital culture.

From the reviews:“This anthology of 16 essays discusses games from a philosophical perspective. … Game designers and those interested in philosophy … will find the book illuminating and a springboard for new ways to think about games and interactive media. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals/practitioners in game design.” (A. Chen, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013)“This book is really about the philosophy of computer games. … Previously, foundational books in computer games … were more sociological in their orientation. This book begins to add an important pillar to that foundation. … It asks and attempts to answer some very serious questions. … I would recommend it first to philosophers in related fields such as the philosophy of fiction or media studies. I would also recommend it to designers of video games and virtual worlds … .” (J. M. Artz, ACM Computing Reviews, October, 2012)

The first anthology to take a philosophical perspective on issues raised by computer games Deals with fundamental issues in games research Offers a new context for reflection on traditional philosophical themes